Wealthier: A Concept to be able to Love More

Growing up in a business and financially exposed environment does not make me more of a
financial literate person. This slaps me as I read the book of Bo Sanchez with an intriguing title of My
Maid Invests in the Stock Market and Why You Should, Too! Shattering every stereotypical notion that I
am totally aware of about stock markets and how people with almighty dollars can only be the ones to
engage in them and decipher every inch of investments’ jargons.

Astonishingly, after reading the book, I gained the knowledge of on how to allocate your money
according to your needs and desires while saving for your retirement at the same time with the
multimillionaire thought of dream after 10 to 20 years. Bo clearly described how is it to invest even if
you only have a small amount of money and wait for your bought stocks to bring home the bacon.
However, aside from learning that investment can never be only for those with deep pockets, as I
reflect, I also gained seven main lessons from this book not just financially, but also in life for all the
people who are dreaming of having savings and investments at the time they can no longer work.

First, financial literacy is a must in life. In this inspiring book, Bo mentioned that he is an
entrepreneur, a businessman and a father of a family. However, before, Bo was once a poor missionary
with a hole in his pocket. Yet, after how many years of perseverance and discipline he applied the things
he learned and most of these are under as to what we call the financial literacy. The moment Bo
mentioned that he is consistently monitoring his housemaids because he is teaching them on how to
invest in stock markets, rang a bell to me that everyone must be financially literate, not just those who
already have the privilege to be so. This is for a fact that being able to be aware, to know how to use
various financial skills and engage in financial matters is such an empowerment, most especially with
simple people. Because in the end, these skills and knowledge will open a door for us to manage our
money effectively beyond those concepts that we should either save or send money without solid
foundation.
 Second, banks are fantastic, but not all the time. Typically, just what Bo said in his book, when
we talk about savings, the number one financial institution that we think of is the bank. A world full of
stereotypes that bank should be the most legal and preferably, the best place which can act as your
piggy bank. I know your money is safe in banks and as a matter of fact they always deal fantastically, but
I believe not all the time. In terms of savings, I grasped the idea Bo has been sending that banks’ rates
regarding long-term savings and investments are not that overwhelming. According to him, if you put
your money at the bank and deposit it in a time deposit account, your money will just earn 4% of the
principal every year. Supposed you parked your ₱1,500,000 in a time deposit, after 32 years, your
money will just be ₱3,420,000 with an annual interest of ₱60,000. How about those people with
lesser amount to park in a time deposit and take a long time to earn a promising interest which is not
that preferable. That’s why it is true that in banks, the money you should keep is either your
emergency money or business money or both—but no more, no less.

Third, anyone can invest. When Bo believed that if he can teach his housemaids to invest
in stock markets, then he can teach anyone, it made me understood that it is true. Indeed, anyone
can invest. There is no such standard which requires that only certain people can invest in stock
markets. There are no requisites that prohibits selected people and limit them to earn through
dividends. There are no laws constituted by the judicial branch of the country that stops other people
from becoming a stockholder. Either you are a housemaid, a plain housewife, an heiress or even a
student—as long as you have the ability and the willingness, you can invest.

Fourth, know how to break stereotypes. Sometimes, stereotypes are products of

becoming over familiarized with usual and typical things without having someone or something to
break it. As soon as Bo said that investing in stock markets can involve many people, as well as
those who only have limited resources compared to others, made me realize that this book breaks
the stereotype that investing in stock markets requires a lot of money. Unfortunately, this is the
notion I grasp since I was young but as I gradually expose to finance, accounting, and business
stuffs, this gets clearer at the end of the tunnel. Bo said that in reality, what you truly need is “a little
bit of guidance—and a lot of discipline.” Which is definitely true, guidance on how to deal financially
and on how to discipline yourself as you patiently and perseveringly wait for your investment to
return and finally, earn.
 Fifth, you should lover yourself too. This is one of my favorite reflection in the boo, that
there is no problem to act as a supporting system to your family, especially when you know how
hard life is. It is so good to love your family, friends and special someone through financial support, but
still, you should also love yourself too. That would not make you less of a person rather, it will urge you
to keep and save for your future self, most especially when you are already old. Actually, this is a perfect
initiation to invest your long-term savings to legal and big companies, so when you already want to
retire or when you do not even have the capacity to exert labor, you can have some money for your
own. A concrete example of this is the housemaids of Bo. Before, they do not keep a reasonable amount
for themselves, but now, they can even allocate separately for their needs, desires, emergencies, and
the like.

Second to the last, trust the process even if it is a slow progress. If you want long-lasting
effectiveness, then there’s nothing on this earth which can be attained instantly. Everyone must
patiently wait—everyone must endure the time. Even if your investment takes 25 years or 32 years to
earn, you must trust the process. You should discipline yourself on how to be faithful with the slow
progress. I gained the knowledge that we should keep on going—if we need to invest continuously every
month, then we should. In time, it will go up and in time, it will earn.

Lastly, what really matters is the character you will build within you. Bo emphasized that
investing is not just all about you becoming a multimillionaire in years. What it is essentially all about Is
to have the significant character that would grow within you in a matter of time, as you realize the value
of faith, patience, and discipline. As to what Bo stated, ”If your heart is in the right place, having more
money means having more ways of loving others.” In this way, you will not just become literally wealthy,
but you can use your wealth to serve God by serving other people just like Bo’s housemaids who want to
donate in Anawim rather than to be beneficiaries.

In conclusion, there are so much stereotypical notions in life that certainly change our
perspectives in life. However, nothing could beat the power of becoming a financially literate person in
the midst of incorrect assumptions. There is nothing feels better when you know that in time, all the
hard works you made and poured out your efforts will be as rewarding as it is with your investments.
Knowing that you could serve more—that you could love more.